In 2026, buyers in Southeastern North Carolina aren't just looking for "updated" homes; they are looking for "intelligent" homes. For sellers in New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Brunswick counties, the right smart home tech is no longer a gimmick—it is a competitive advantage. But not all gadgets are created equal. While a smart fridge might be cool, it won't sell your house. Buyers in our coastal market are focused on three things: Efficiency, Security, and Protection against the elements.

If you are prepping to list, here are the high-ROI smart home upgrades that actually move the needle in our specific region.

1. The "Coastal Defense" System: Smart Water Shut-Off Valves

If you only install one device, make it this one.

Why it Wins: In flood-prone and hurricane-conscious areas like Surf City or Leland, water damage is a top fear. A smart valve (like Moen Flo or Phyn) monitors your water usage and automatically shuts off the main water supply if it detects a leak—whether it's a burst pipe or a dripping toilet.

The ROI: Beyond the peace of mind for buyers (especially second-home buyers who aren't there to see a leak), these devices can unlock insurance discounts. Mentioning in your listing that the home is equipped with active leak detection is a massive selling point that signals a well-protected asset.

2. Humidity Control: The Smart Thermostat

In our humid climate, a thermostat does more than just control temperature; it controls mold risk.

The Upgrade: Swap your old plastic dial for a Ecobee or Google Nest.

The Coastal Angle: Look specifically for models with a "Dehumidification" mode or humidity sensors. Buyers know that "vacant home smell" comes from humidity. A smart thermostat that keeps the home at 55% humidity even when the owners are away is a huge value-add for second-home buyers in Oak Island or Wrightsville Beach.

3. The "Vacation Rental" Standard: Keyless Entry

If your home has any potential as a short-term rental (Airbnb/VRBO), a smart lock is mandatory.

The Expectation: Buyers looking for investment properties in Topsail or Carolina Beach calculate "start-up costs" when they tour a home. If you already have a Schlage Encode or Yale Assure lock installed, you've just saved them time and money.

Feature to Highlight: Ensure it is a Wi-Fi model that allows for remote code generation, so owners can let in guests or maintenance crews from their phone in Raleigh or Charlotte.

4. Visual Security: The Video Doorbell

This has become the "stainless steel appliance" of the 2020s—it's just expected.

The Strategy: Don't take your Ring or Nest doorbell with you when you move. Leave it. The perceived value of a "secure" front porch far outweighs the $150 cost of replacing it at your new house.

Pro Tip for Sellers: If you have a video doorbell, turn off the audio recording during showings. While video is generally legal, recording conversations without consent can get into murky legal waters. Plus, you want buyers to feel comfortable discussing the home honestly on the porch.

5. Smart Irrigation: The "Sandy Soil" Saver

In Pender and Onslow counties, keeping a lawn green in sandy soil is a battle.

The Tech: A smart irrigation controller (like Rachio) adjusts watering schedules based on hyper-local weather data. It won't water the lawn if it's raining in Hampstead, even if it's dry in Wilmington.

The Selling Point: Market this as a "money saver." Water bills in our region can be high; showing a buyer that the irrigation system is optimized to save cash is a practical, tangible benefit.

6. The "Ecosystem" Matter

A small note for 2026: The industry standard "Matter" is now mainstream. This means devices from Apple, Google, and Amazon all talk to each other. When listing your smart features, simply adding the phrase "Matter-compatible smart home ecosystem" tells tech-savvy buyers that they won't have to replace your devices to fit their preferred phone brand.

Tech That Sells

You don't need to turn your home into a spaceship. You just need to solve the problems that keep coastal buyers up at night: leaks, humidity, and security.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we know how to market these "invisible" upgrades. We don't just list "smart thermostat" in the flyer; we explain why it protects the home's value. If you are wondering which upgrades are worth the investment before you list, let’s do a quick tech-audit of your home.